Tubular container



July 19, 1960 J. T. WHELAN ETAL 2,945,585

TUBULAR CONTAINER Filed Nov. 1, 1957 FIG. 2

FIG. I

FIG. 5

I AHHmI v a n.1,

FIG. 4

FIG. 3

INVENTORS. JACK T. WHELAN 8 JOHN H. FRENCH rToRNEY United States TUBULAR CONTAINER Jack T. Whelan and John H. French, both of Hills and Dales Village, Canton, Ohio Filed Nov. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 693,832

Claims. (Cl. 206-46) This invention, relating as indicated to a tubular container, is particularly directed towards special purpose containers which are adapted to pack and securely hold an article or articles therein. The tubular container would be of paper, fiberboard, plastic, polyethylene or the like. These containers would also have metal or equivalent endseals thereon as well as supporting bushings within to hold the objects securely against longitudinal and lateral displacement and to prevent the objects from being damaged even though they may be fragile and have delicate points or ends thereon.

This invention is further directed towards a container and a support means for an object within the container so that the article will be held in space relationship to the tubular container wall.

There have been numerous problems in the past in connection with the packaging of special objects as, for example, in the case of a sparkplug of a particular construction having a metal wall and adapted for threaded engagement in a cap structure on one end and a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine on the other end. This invention relates to a special package adapted for the packaging of sparkplugs but equally adaptable for other objects. One of the features of this particular package is a series of end securing members or bushings adapted to space the sparkplug and/or any other object in relationship to the walls of the container by a bushing having an annular surface and to hold and protect the threads or other parts of the sparkplug by a threaded engaging or hat portion of the bushing which is adapted to fit within the end of the container. A further engaging means provides for a radially engaging bushing having a cylindrical support section and radially inturned edges to support the end or gap and electrode of the sparkplug against both side and lateral forces.

These combination bushings or fittings in a container of this type are particularly adapted to hold objects having a threaded shielded end or a gap on the end, as in connection with sparkplugs, that must be protected from damage in transit or in handling.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tubular container particularly adapted for pro tive packaging of small objects in order to seal them against the entrance of moisture and to protect them against vibration or accidental drops.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tubular container with special structure, hat-type bushings to support an object therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tubular container in which the contents of the tubular container may be readily observed at .all times and a package in which the object is supported firmly against transit damages and against moisture while leaving the contents observable at all times as .to the type of contents and physical condition.

' To the accomplishment'of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the following description setting forth in detail one appoved means of carrying out the invention, such disclosed means, however, constituting but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be used.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a view of the container with the end, before sealing;

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tubular container with a particular type of goods support; ed therein;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternate type of bushing support for the goods.-

In connection with the drawings, the tubular container is shown at 10, perhaps from /2" to as much as 4" in diameter, and this may be of polyethylene or other suitable material varying in size from approximately .010" to perhaps .050" in thickness. In the particular example of the container shown herein for a sparkplug, polyethylene of about .025" has been used. A metal end seal shown generally at 12, having a rim 13 and a metal end wall 14, is secured to the container. The container may be opened by cutting the container near the metal end seal. Other end opening means may be employed.

The cross-sectional view, Fig. 2, shows a sparkplug indicated generally at 16, having a metal shield 17, a base for the plug at 18 with the spark gap and electrode generally indicated at 19. A threaded section 20 of the metal shield 17 must be protected against damage so that the threads may fit within the cap and make an electrical connection to the rotor of an internal combustion engine.

The particular structure for this container involves a series of bushing elements which may be formed of heavy paperboard material as at 21 with a radial section 22 adapted to fit within the internal diameter of the tubular container 10. There is also a cylindrical portion 23 which is connected to the radial section 22, as well as a circular covering or top portion 24 forming a hat bushing structure. The top 24 is adapted to rest against the recessed internal diameter of the metal end seal 12. The internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 23 is adapted to engage and snugly fit over the threaded section 2%. Of course, it will be appreciated that by fitting very snugly and by being tapered slightly, the threaded section can be suspended in the tubular container. The opposite end of the sparkplug has a further threaded end section 26, with the gap and electrode indicated at 19. In this particular instance, another type of support bushing of heavy paperboard or other type material is indicated generally at 28 having a radially engaging portion 2? connected to a cylindrical portion 30 and a further inwardly projecting radial portion 31. The radial portion 2h is adapted to contact the end wall of the metal end seal 11, as well as the side wall of the tubular container 10. The cylindrical portion 30 is adapted to support the flanged sections of the sparkplug, particularly at the inwardly en; gaging portion 31. This supports the sparkplug from the metal end seal 11 of the tubular container so that the gap is not in contact with the container when subjected to vibrations or sudden force and, therefore, will not cause damage to the electrodes.

This bushing may be conveniently referred to hereinafter as a hat bushing, particularly an open ended-hat shaped bushing element. It will be further appreciated that in supporting these objects, the hat bushing of the type on the lower end of the sparkplug near the gap end or the hat bushing of the threaded shielded metal section on the sparkplug may, by some adaptation, be used one for the other. In fact, two of the hat bushings at the upper end of the container may be employed one on each by proper dimensioning of the hat bushing.

The cross-sectional views, Figs. 3 and 4, show the structure of the upper end 24 of the hat bushings and the cross-sectional view through the tubular container. A further cross-sectional view in Fig. 4 shows the bottom end with the open ended-hat shaped bushing, indicating the tubular container with the radial bushings with the radially engaging portions 29 and 31 and the cross section through the threaded section 26 and through the center electrode of the sparkplug.

Fig. 5 shows an alternate version of the bushing for the lower end of the sparlgplug, said bushing having a cylindrical portion 35. Resting against the outwardly extending radial portion of the sparkplug, shown at 36, is the bottom portion of the cylindrical bushing which fits snugly against the end wall 11 The gap is shown similarly at 19. Because the sparkplug is firmly held at both ends, a cylindrically shaped bushing as at 35, resting against the radially engaging portion and against the metal end wall, will prevent the bushing from sidewise engagement, particularly since there is a radial end support at the opposite end as at 21. The particular advantage of this cylindrical suppo'rt bushing is that varying threads on the sparkplug, and/or other type of means, do not necessitate specially shaped-open ended hat bushings as, for example, in Fig. 2. This provides greater versatility in supporting the objects with varying contents in the container.

It will be seen how this construction provides a container of generally clear and translucent material, such as polyethylene, which can have any kind of indicia or marking inside the container. This would not be spoiled by the elements and would, therefore, provide ready identification of the products. At the same time, the product or article within is prevented from movement longitudinally in the tubular container and radially with respect thereto. Thus, even when the package is dropped or when it receives a blow, the supported plug is protected beause the stiff, semi-resilient bushings are adapted to cushion the force by radial or longitudinal flexure.

In connection with this application, it is to be understood that although polyethylene material is preferred, any other suitable materiahsuch as plastomeric materialpolyester resin, polyvinyl chloride resin or butyrate resin-may be used. Under certain conditions Mylar or combinations of this with other materials may also be used.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with a few preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the invention. All of these variations and modificatio'ns are considered to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention as disclosed in the foregoing description and defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A tubular container having a semi-rigid wall structure and metal end seals therefor forming end walls, at least one object in said tubular container supported against radial and axial movement, a protective bushing between one end wall and the tubular container walls and said supported object having a radially engaging portion adapted to contact both the end wall and tubular container walls, a cylindrical portion connected to, said radial portion projecting a distance from the end wall, a further radial portion projecting from the opposite end of said cylindrical portion inwardly towards the object supported, an opening in said bushing terminated by said inwardly projecting radial portions to suspend the object against radial and longitudinal movement, and a flanged surface on said object adjacent said radially engaging portion to limit the axial movement of the object in relation to said container and bushing. a further bushing element at the opposite end wall supporting the object between the tubular container walls and'said end wall, said bushing having a radially engaging portion in radial contact with the tubular container, a cylindrically engaging portion connected thereto in contact with the supported object, and a further radially engaging portion projecting inwardly in contact with the metal end seal to support the object against longitudinal movement.

2. The tubular container of claim 1 in which the object is a sparkplug having a gap end and a shield end and in which the first protective bushing protects the gap end and spaces the gap from the end wall, and the second protective bushing has thfi cylindrical portion engaging the threads of the threaded shielded portion of the sparkplug and the top section is in contact with the end wall.

3. The tubular container of claim 1 in which the tubular container wall is of resilient polyethylene and in which an indicator card is located within the container wall around a portion of the wall, whereby the container may be subjected to abuse and the contents made visible at any time as is the identification indicia for said product.

4. A tubular container having a tubular element, a

metal end seal on one end thereof, an object in, said con-. tainer extending longitudinally of the container and having an end approaching said metal end seal, a bushing element supporting said container having a radially engaging portion in contact with the tubular element, a cylindrically shaped engaging portion connected thereto in co'ntact with one end of the supported object and a further radially engaging portion projecting inwardly adapted to support said object, said latter portion being in contact with the metal end seal, a further metal end seal on the opposite end of said tubular container adjacent the opposite end of the supported object, the opposite end of said supported object having a flanged sec-. tion, a cylindrical bushing between the opposite end of said supported object and said other metal end seal, said bushing adapted to contact said flanged section of the supported object and be in contact with the metal end seal, whereby the tubular container and the bushings therein support the object against longitudinal movement andthe cylindrical bushing on the opposite end thereof holds the bushing from contact with the metal end scal butbecause of the broad base of support substantially prevents any great amount of radialmofvement. 5. The tubular container of claim 4 in which the object is a sparkplug having a gap end and a shield end and in which the first protective bushingprotectsthe shield and the second protective bushing; protects the gap end, the first protective bushing having a cylindrical portion engaging the threads of the threaded shieldedportipn of the sparkplug and the, top section being in contact with the end wall.

6.. The. tubular container of claim 4 in which the, tubular container is of resilient polyethylene andin which an indicator card is located within the containerwall around a portion of the wall, whereby the container may be, subjected to abuse and the contents made visible at all times as is the identification indicia for the. products.

7. A tubular container for a spark plug adapted to support the. plug within the container in spacedrelationship to the ends, thereof and in spacedco-axialvrelationship with the, walls of the container, comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion, rigid, end, seals integrallysecured upon theends of the bodyportion and two, bushing support elements of stilf, semi-resilient. material positioned within the containenat opposite. ends thereof, said bushing element having an, axially extending cylindrical body portion c -axiaL with b utspaeed radially inward from the cylindrical wallof the, container, and with said body portion of the hushing-elementhaving at each end thereof transversely extending protcctivesupp P rti n dap cdtgupport the. spark. p us gainst longitudinal and transverse movement within the container, and with one of said transverse support portions extending outwardly into contact with the wall of the container, and with the other transverse support portion extending inwardly and being adapted to be in contact with an abutment surface of the spark plug, whereby the respective portions of the bushing are adapted to support the spark plug in spaced relationship with the walls and the ends of the container.

8. A tubular container for a spark plug adapted to support the plug within the container in spaced relationship to the ends thereof and in spaced co-axial relationship with the walls of the container, said container com prising a tubular wall portion, rigid closure caps attached to the ends of said tubular wall portion, a pair of support elements of still", semi-resilient material separate from said tubular wall and said closure caps and posi tioned within said tubular body at opposite ends thereof, each of said support elements including a tubular body portion co-axial with said tubular wall portion of said container and spaced transversely inwardly from the internal surface thereof, an outwardly directed transversely extending flange provided on one of said support elements and engaging the internal surface of said tubular wall portion of said container, an inwardly directed transversely extending wall portion on said one support element, in addition to the body portion thereof and portions of said one support element being in abutment with one of said closure caps, said other support element being provided with a transversely extending abutment surface at each end thereof, one of said abutment surfaces of said othersupport element being in abutment with said other cap, the spark plug, when positioned in the container, being snugly received at one end within said one support element with end portions and said spark plug being in abutment with said transverse wall portion, said plug being received at the other end within said other support element with the other of said transversely extending abutment surfaces being in engagement with transversely extending abutment surfaces in said plug, whereby said plug is maintained in spaced relationship with said tubular container wall and with said end caps.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 in which said other support element is provided with a transversely extending outwardly directed flange in engagement with the inner surface of said tubular container wall, and in which said other of said transversely extending abutment surfaces is formed by an inwardly directed wall portion.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 in which said inwardly directed wall portion is a flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,074 Hahn Oct. 12, 1915 2,415,589 Hahn Feb. 11, 1947 2,486,711 Harris Nov. 1, 1949 2,522,708 Fields Sept. 19, 1950 2,690,947 Roehrl Oct. 5, 1954 2,718,298 Houser Sept. 20, 1955 

